Robinson R44 N688SS

Summary

On 6 April 2010 at about 18:00 local time, a Robinson R44 registered N688SS, operated by Twin Air, was involved in an accident near Temecula, California, United States. 3 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

6 April 2010 at 18:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Temecula, California, United States

Nearest airport

Private Helipad (PVT)

Coordinates

33.5197, -117.2183

Aircraft

Robinson R44

Registration

N688SS

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Twin Air

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Temecula → Fullerton

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR10CA192

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter during takeoff.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot stated that he and two passengers traveled to a friend's private residence in the accident helicopter and landed on a hill with a slope. They were at the residence for a few hours before they got back in the helicopter to travel home. During their visit, the wind direction had become variable and produced a tailwind to the parked position of the helicopter. The pilot stated that prior to takeoff he did not reposition the helicopter directly into the wind while it was on the ground, as he felt the wind was not that strong. During takeoff, as the helicopter lifted off the ground and into a hover, the pilot started a right turn to position the helicopter into the wind. The helicopter drifted left of the landing pad area and the pilot recalled the helicopter spinning to the right faster than he had anticipated and he counteracted by adding additional power and left pedal to slow the rate of turn. As the helicopter was in the turn, he heard the low rpm warning and the low rotor rpm warning light illuminated. The pilot then attempted to enter a hover autorotation; however, the helicopter did not make the landing pad. The helicopter touched down on the slope of the hill and rolled over. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical problems with the helicopter prior to the accident.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.